Treat us the way we treat
you: BushWashington, February
16, 2006US President George W Bush
took his message of a more competitive America back to the nation's heartland
during a visit next month.

Bush promised to tell India
that he expects fair dealing in the two countries' expanding trade relationship.

He told an audience in Ohio,
where he went with one of the Midwestern state's senators, George Voinovich,
that "The delegation is concerned about trade that is fair and free."

"He wants the manufacturers
here in Ohio to be treated fairly in places like China. I assured him I
understand it's part of my job," he added.

Bush said, "I'm going to
India at the end of this month, and I'm going to make it clear with the
Indians. 'We look forward to trading with you, but just treat us the way
we treat you.' That's all we ask."

The Ohio stop was the latest
for Bush in a series of visits to promote his American Competitiveness
Initiative, which he announced it in his State of the Union address last
month.

The initiative would expand
basic scientific research so as to maintain the US Lead in technological
development.

His message is important,
Bush told the Ohio audience, "because we can compete with anybody, anytime,
anywhere, so long as the rules are fair."

"People see China and India
out there looming as competitors, and the reaction with some is, let's
don't compete; let's just kind of shut her down; let's get protectionist;
or, why don't we isolate?" he said.

"I have a different point
of view. My attitude is, we shouldn't fear the future, we ought to shape
the future. My attitude is, the United States of America must continue
to be the leader in the world economy, for the good of our people.